Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to liquid heaters, and more specifically,
to a positive temperature coefficient heater.
Background
[0002] Currently, positive temperature coefficient ("PTC") heaters are widely applied in
household appliances such as spa pools, entertainment pools, water dispensers, foot
baths, and other industrial products. An example of a known PTC heating unit according
to the preamble of claim 1 is shown in document
EP 0899985.
[0003] A PTC heater, which is commonly known in the art, includes a heat conductor, PTC
heating elements, and end covers having a water inlet and a water outlet. The heat
conductor includes a plurality of ducts separated from one another, where some of
the ducts are used for housing PTC heating elements, and some of the ducts are used
as liquid passage channels. The end covers are coupled to each axial end of the heat
conductor, first serving as liquid passage channels in fluid communication with the
heat conductor, and secondly serving to seal each end of the duct in which a PTC heating
element is placed within the heat conductor.
[0004] A disadvantage of these types of PTC heaters lie in the fact that the entire PTC
heating element, aside from wires, is disposed in the duct of the heat conductor.
Also, end faces of the end covers butt directly against end faces of the heat conductor,
and the PTC heating element is positioned inside of the end covers. Once the end covers
are sealed with the heat conductor, water permeates or leaks through the joining faces
of the end covers and the heat conductor and drip on or otherwise come into contact
with the PTC heating element.
[0005] Additionally, the housing of existing PTC heating elements is a tubular metal piece.
A heating assembly, electrode sheets, and insulating paper are disposed within the
housing, and each end of the tubular housing is sealed with rubber plugs or an insulation
paste. Once the rubber plugs and the insulation paste are damaged, a gap or space
is created at the ends of the tubular housing that permits water to seep into the
interior of the housing. This may cause electricity to leak from the heater, resulting
in an electrical short or damage to electrical components coupled to the heater.
[0006] Thus, a need therefore exists for heating unit that overcomes the disadvantages and
safety risks found in currently known PTC heaters. In particular, there is a need
for a PTC liquid heater that improves safety, is simple in structure, and effectively
prevents electricity from leaking out of the heater.
SUMMARY
[0007] With regard to the defects presently existing in the prior art, the technical problem
to be solved by the present invention is to provide a PTC liquid heater with a protective
layer that improves safety, has a simple structure, and effectively prevents electrical
leakage.
[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, there is provided an example
of an implementation of a PTC heater according to the present invention. The PTC heater
includes a heat conductor, a first end cover, a second end cover, and at least one
PTC heating element. The heat conductor includes at least one duct for accommodating
a PTC heating element, at least one first liquid passage channel, and at least one
second liquid passage channel.
[0009] The first end cover is fixedly coupled to one end of the heat conductor. The first
end cover is internally provided with a first compartment, a second compartment, an
end cover water inlet, and an end cover water outlet. The end cover water inlet is
in fluid communication with the first compartment and the first liquid passage channel.
The end cover water outlet is in fluid communication with the second compartment and
the second liquid passage channel.
[0010] The second end cover is fixedly coupled to an opposite end of the heat conductor.
The first liquid passage channel and the second liquid passage channel are in fluid
communication with each other via an internal space in the second end cover, so as
to form a closed liquid circulation channel.
[0011] The at least one PTC heating element is disposed in the duct of the heat conductor.
The PTC heating element is constructed to have a length longer than that of the heat
conductor such that one end the PTC heating element extends out of the duct, and a
portion of the other end extending out of the other end of the duct.
[0012] The first end cover includes at least one groove capable of accommodating the portion
of the PTC heating element extending out of the duct. The groove is in communication
with an external space.
[0013] The second end cover further includes at least one opening capable of accommodating
the end of the PTC heating element extending out of the duct. In some implementations,
a first sealing gasket is interposed between an end face of the first end cover and
an end face of the heat conductor. The first sealing gasket surrounds a mouth formed
at one end of the first liquid passage channel and a mouth formed at one end of the
second liquid passage channel.
[0014] In some implementations, a second sealing gasket is also interposed between an end
face of the second end cover and an opposing end face of the heat conductor. The second
sealing gasket surrounds a mouth formed at an opposing end of the first liquid passage
channel and a mouth formed at an opposing end of the second liquid passage channel.
[0015] In some implementations, the portion of the PTC heating element extending out of
the duct is wrapped with an insulating and sealing layer. In some implementations,
the insulating and sealing layer may comprise an epoxy filler, a rubber sheath, or
a rubber sealing plug.
[0016] There is further provided a second example of an implementation of a PTC heater not
falling within the scope of the present invention. The PTC heater includes a heat
conductor, a first end cover, a second end cover, and at least one PTC heating element.
The heat conductor includes at least one duct for accommodating a PTC heating element,
and at least one liquid passage channel.
[0017] The first end cover is fixedly coupled to one end of the heat conductor. The first
end cover includes an end cover water inlet in fluid communication with one end of
the liquid passage channel.
[0018] The second end cover is fixedly coupled to an opposite end of the heat conductor.
The second end cover includes an end cover water outlet in fluid communication with
the opposite end of the liquid passage channel.
[0019] The at least one PTC heating element is disposed in the duct of the heat conductor.
The PTC heating element may be constructed to have a length longer than that of the
heat conductor such that at least one end of the PTC heating element extends out of
the duct.
[0020] In some implementations, the first end cover includes at least one first groove capable
of accommodating the part of the PTC heating element extending out of the duct. The
first groove is in communication with an external space.
[0021] In some implementations, the second end cover also includes at least one second groove
capable of accommodating the portion of the PTC heating element extending out of the
duct. The second groove is also in communication with the external space.
[0022] In some implementations, a first sealing gasket is interposed between an end face
of the first end cover and an end face of the heat conductor. The first sealing gasket
surrounds a mouth formed at an end of the liquid passage channel.
[0023] In some implementations, a second sealing gasket is interposed between an end face
of the second end cover and an opposing end face of the heat conductor. The second
sealing gasket surrounds a mouth formed at an opposing end of the liquid passage channel.
[0024] In some implementations, the portion of the PTC heating element extending out of
the duct is wrapped with an insulating and sealing layer. In some implementations,
the insulating and sealing layer may comprise an epoxy filler, a rubber sheath, or
a rubber sealing plug.
[0025] Compared with PTC heating units presently in the art, the present invention has several
advantages. First, PTC liquid heaters according to the present invention are mainly
characterized in setting the length of the PTC heating element longer than that of
the heat conductor so that at least one end of the PTC heating element is exposed
out of the heat conductor. This causes the portion of the PTC heating element exposed
out of the heat conductor to be located at the outer side of the joining face of the
two end covers and the heat conductor. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized
by providing an insulating and sealing layer on the portion of the PTC heating element
exposed out of the duct, for protection, thus achieving a better insulating and sealing
effect.
[0026] Compared with PTC heating units presently in the art, PTC heaters of the present
invention may include a protective layer that may greatly reduce the risk of electrical
leakage from the PTC heater, thereby providing high safety performance. Furthermore,
PTC heaters according to the present invention provide a simple structure and can
effectively prevent an electrical leakage accident and is, thus, likely to gain popularity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above-mentioned and other features, properties and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments
with reference to the accompany drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one example of an implementation of a PTC
heater according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the
fluid communication between the end cover water inlet of the first end cover and the
first liquid passage channel.
FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 1, taken across line
1-1.
FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of first end cover illustrated in FIG. 2, taken across
line 2-2.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an implementation of a PTC
heater not falling within the scope of the invention.
FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is another exploded view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the PTC heater illustrated in FIG. 1 showing
the fluid communication between the end cover water inlet, the end cover water outlet
and the liquid passage channels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with detailed
embodiments and the accompanying drawings. More details are provided in the following
detailed description in order for the present invention to be fully understood. However,
the present invention can be implemented in various ways other than those described
herein. A person skilled in the art can make similar analogy and modification according
to the practical applications without departing from the claimed scope of the present
invention, and therefore the contents of the detailed embodiments herein should not
be construed as limiting to the scope of the present invention.
[0029] FIGs. 1-6 illustrate an example of one implementation of a PTC heater according to
the teachings of the present invention. It should be noted that these and the following
drawings are merely used as examples, and are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
should not be construed as limiting to the scope of the present invention.
[0030] Referring to FIGs. 1-6, the PTC heater mainly includes a heat conductor 1, a first
end cover 3, a second end cover 4 and at least one PTC heating element 2. The heat
conductor 1 is an elongated, hollow aluminum member that includes at least one duct
11 (FIG. 2) capable of accommodating a PTC heating element 2, at least one first liquid
passage channel 12 (FIG. 2), and at least one second liquid passage channel 13 for
communicating liquid passing therethrough. The at least one duct 11, the at least
one first liquid passage channel 12, and the at least one second liquid passage channel
13 all extend through the interior of the heat conductor 1.
[0031] The PTC heating element 2 generally includes a housing, a heating assembly, insulating
paper, and two electrode sheets which are placed within the housing. The two electrode
sheets are provided at opposite sides of the heating assembly. At least one layer
of insulating paper wraps the electrode sheet positioned disposed outside of the heating
assembly. The housing comprises a hollow aluminum tube. At least one layer of sealing
plug is provided at each end of the aluminum tube. The outside of the sealing plug
is filled with a sealant. PTC heating elements are well known in the art and are therefore
not described in detail in the present application.
[0032] The PTC heating element 2 may be positioned within the duct 11 of the heat conductor
1 fixed, by means of cold-pressing and well butts, against an inner surface of the
duct 11. In order to prevent electrical leakage due to contact between the PTC heating
element 2 and a precipitant or liquid, the PTC heating element 2 is constructed to
a length that is longer than the length of the heat conductor 1 such that at least
one end of the PTC heating element 2 extends out from the duct 11 of the heat conductor
1, and a portion of the other end extends out of the other end of the duct 11.
[0033] Two ends of the heat conductor 1 are fixedly coupled to the first end cover 3 and
the second end cover 4, respectively. A first compartment 33, a second compartment
34, an end cover water inlet 31 (FIG. 1), and an end cover water outlet 32 (FIG. 1)
are provided in the first end cover 3. The end cover water inlet 31 is in communication
with the first compartment 33 of the first end cover 3 and the first liquid passage
channel 12 of the heat conductor 1. The end cover water outlet 32 is in fluid communication
with the second compartment 34 of the first end cover 3 and the second liquid passage
channel 13 of the heat conductor 1. The first liquid passage channel 12 and the second
liquid passage channel 13 of the heat conductor 1 are in fluid communication with
each other via an internal space (FIG. 3) formed in the second end cover 4, thereby
forming a closed liquid circulation channel.
[0034] When the liquid is heated, the liquid flows from the end cover water inlet 31 of
the first end cover 3 into the first compartment 33, and from the first compartment
33 into the first liquid passage channel 12 of the heat conductor 1. The liquid then
flows through the interior of the second end cover 4 into the second liquid passage
channel 13 of the heat conductor 1. The liquid then leaves the second liquid passage
channel 13, enters the second compartment 34 of the first end cover 3, and exits the
heater out of the end cover water outlet 32 of the first end cover 3.
[0035] According to this implementation, as best shown in FIG. 2, the first end cover 3
includes at least one groove 35 capable of accommodating a portion of the PTC heating
element 2 extending out of the duct 11. The groove 35 extends through the first end
cover 3 and is in communication with an external space (i.e., the atmospheric space
outside of the PTC heater). Furthermore, a first sealing gasket 36 (FIG. 4) is interposed
between an end face (FIG. 2) of the first end cover 3 and an end face (FIG. 3) of
the heat conductor 1. The gasket 36 surrounds a mouth formed at one end of the first
fluid passage channel 12 and the second fluid passage channel 13.
[0036] Similarly, as best shown in FIG. 4, the second end cover 4 also includes at least
one opening 41 capable of accommodating an end of the PTC heating element 2 extending
out of the duct 11. A second sealing gasket 42 is interposed between an end face (FIG.
3) of the second end cover 4 and an opposing end face (FIG. 2) of the heat conductor
1. The gasket 42 surrounds a mouth formed at an opposing end of the first fluid passage
channel 12 and the second fluid passage channel 13.
[0037] In order to achieve better insulation, the portion of the PTC heating element 2 extending
out of the duct 11 may be wrapped with an insulating and sealing layer 5 for protection.
It may be preferred to fill an epoxy resin at the opening 41 of the second end cover
4 so as to wrap the exposed part of the PTC heating element 2 and form the insulating
and sealing layer 5; however, in other implementations, depending on the application,
a waterproof insulating rubber sheath, or insulating and sealing rubber plug may be
used at the opening 41 of the second end cover 4 to provide insulation and sealing
protection for the exposed portion of the PTC heating element 2. The above-mentioned
insulating and sealing methods effectively prevent leaking liquid from coming into
contact with the PTC heating element 2, thereby avoiding an electrical leakage incident.
[0038] FIGs. 7-10 illustrate an example of an implementation of a PTC heater not falling
within the scope of the present invention. The PTC heater includes a heat conductor
a1, a first end cover a3, a second end cover a4, and at least one PTC heating element
a2. The arrangement of the heat conductor a1 and the PTC heating element a2 are substantially
the same as that described in the previous example.
[0039] For instance, as best shown in FIG. 8, the heat conductor a1 may comprise an elongated,
hollow aluminum member, internally provided with at least one duct a11 capable of
accommodating the PTC heating element a2 and at least one liquid passage channel a12.
The at least one duct a11 and the at least one liquid passage channel a12 both extend
through an interior of the heat conductor a1. At least one PTC heating element a2
positioned within the duct a11 of the heat conductor alis fixed, by means of cold
pressing and well butts, against an inner surface of the duct a11. In order to prevent
electrical leakage due to contact between the PTC heating element a2 and a precipitant
or liquid, the PTC heating element a2 may be constructed to a length longer than that
of the heat conductor a1 such that at least one end of the PTC heating element a2
extends out of the duct a11 of the heat conductor a1. Two ends of the heat conductor
a1 are fixedly coupled to the first end cover a3 and the second end cover a4, respectively.
The first end cover a3 includes an end cover water inlet a31 in fluid communication
with one end of the liquid passage channel a12. The second end cover a4 includes an
end cover water outlet a41 (FIG. 7) in fluid communication with the opposite end of
the liquid passage channel a12.
[0040] When the liquid is heated, the liquid flows from the end cover water inlet a31 of
the first end cover a3, through the liquid passage channel a12 of the heat conductor
a1, and out of the end cover water outlet a41 of the second end cover a4.
[0041] In this example, the first end cover a3 includes at least one first groove a32 (FIG.
9) capable of accommodating a portion of the PTC heating element a2 extending out
of the duct a11. The first groove a32 extends through the first end cover a3 and is
in communication with ambient space outside of the PTC heater. Furthermore, a first
sealing gasket a33 (FIG. 10) is interposed between an end face (FIG. 9) of the first
end cover a3 and an end face (FIG. 8) of the heat conductor a1, to surround a mouth
formed at one end of the liquid passage channel a12.
[0042] Similarly, the second end cover a4 includes at least one second groove a42 capable
of accommodating a portion of the PTC heating element a2 extending out of the duct
a11. The second groove a42 extends width-wise through an interior of the second end
cover a4 and is in communication with the external space. Furthermore, a second sealing
gasket a43 is interposed between an end face (FIG. 8) of the second end cover a4 and
an end face (FIG. 9) of the heat conductor a1, to surround a mouth formed at an opposite
end of the liquid passage channel a12.
[0043] In order to achieve better insulation, the portion of the PTC heating element a2
extending out of the duct a11 may be wrapped with an insulating and sealing layer
a5 for protection. It is preferable to fill an epoxy resin at the first groove a32
of the first end cover a3 and the second groove a42 of the second end cover a4 so
as to wrap the exposed part of the PTC heating element a2 to form an insulating and
sealing layer a5. In addition to this, depending on the application, the insulating
and sealing layer a5 may comprise a waterproof insulating rubber sheath, or an insulating
and sealing rubber plug to provide an insulating and sealing protection for the exposed
portion of the PTC heating element a2. The present implementation may effectively
prevent leaking liquid from coming into contact with the PTC heating element a2, thereby
avoiding the occurrence of an electrical leakage accident.
[0044] In summary, PTC liquid heaters of the present invention are characterized by constructing
the length of the PTC heating element longer than that of the heat conductor so that
at least one end of the PTC heating element extends from of the heat conductor. This
causes the portion of the PTC heating element extending out of the heat conductor
to be located at the outer side of the joining face of the two end covers and the
heat conductor. Furthermore, the present invention is characterized by providing an
insulating and sealing layer on the portion of the PTC heating element extending out
of the duct for protection, thus achieving an enhanced insulating and sealing effect.
[0045] While described herein as being constructed of aluminum, the various components of
the PTC heater may be constructed of stainless steel, plastic, alloy metal, or any
other suitable non-corrosive material. Compared with prior art devices, PTC heaters
of the present invention are advantageous because they include a protective layer
that greatly reduces the risk of electrical leakage from the PTC heater, thereby providing
high safety performance. Furthermore, PTC heaters according to the present invention
comprise a simple structure and are effective in preventing an electrical leakage
accident; thus, making them desirable to consumers.
[0046] In general, terms such as "coupled to," and "configured for coupling to," and "secured
to," and "configured for securing to" and "in communication with" (for example, a
first component is "coupled to" or "is configured for coupling to" or is "configured
for securing to" or is "in communication with" a second component) are used herein
to indicate a structural, functional, mechanical, electrical, signal, optical, magnetic,
electromagnetic, ionic or fluidic relationship between two or more components or elements.
As such, the fact that one component is said to be in communication with a second
component is not intended to exclude the possibility that additional components may
be present between, and/or operatively associated or engaged with, the first and second
components.
[0047] The present invention has been described above in connection with example implementations
which, however, are not intended to be limiting to the scope of the present invention,
and any person skilled in the art could make possible changes and modifications without
departing from the scope of the present invention. Hence, any alteration, equivalent
change and modification which are made to the above-mentioned examples in accordance
with the technical substance of the present invention and without departing from the
present invention, would fall within the scope defined by the claims of the present
invention.
1. A heating unit,
characterized in comprising:
a heat conductor (1) internally provided with at least one duct (11) for accommodating
a PTC heating element (2), at least one first liquid passage channel (12), and at
least one second liquid passage channel (13);
a first end cover (3) fixedly coupled to one end of the heat conductor (1), the first
end cover (3) being internally provided with a first compartment (33), a second compartment
(34), an end cover water inlet (31), and an end cover water outlet (32), the end cover
water inlet (31) being in fluid communication with the first compartment (33) and
the first liquid passage channel (12), and the end cover water outlet (32) being in
fluid communication with the second compartment (34) and the second liquid passage
channel (13);
a second end cover (4) fixedly coupled to an opposite end of the heat conductor (1),
the first liquid passage channel (12) and the second liquid passage channel (13) being
in fluid communication with each other via an internal space within the second end
cover (4) so as to form a closed liquid circulation channel; and
at least one PTC heating element (2) positioned within the duct (11) of the heat conductor
(1), the PTC heating element (2) having a length longer than that of said heat conductor
(1), characterized by having one end extending out of an end of the duct (11) and a portion of the other
end extending out of the other end of the duct (11);
wherein the first end cover (3) includes at least one groove (35) capable of accommodating
the portion of the PTC heating element (2) extending out of the duct (11), the groove
(35) extending through an interior of the first end cover (3) and being in communication
with an external space; and
the second end cover (4) is also provided with at least one opening (41) capable of
accommodating the end of the PTC heating element (2) extending out of the duct (11).
2. The heating unit of claim 1, characterized in that,
a first sealing gasket (36) is provided between an end face of the first end cover
(3) and an end face of the heat conductor (1), the first sealing gasket (36) surrounding
a mouth of the first liquid passage channel (12) and of the second liquid passage
channel (13); and/or
a second sealing gasket (42) is disposed between an end face of the second end cover
(4) and an end face of the heat conductor (1), the second sealing gasket (42) surrounding
a mouth formed at an end of the first liquid passage channel (12) and the second liquid
passage channel (13).
3. The heating unit of claim 1, characterized in that said end of the PTC heating element (2) that extends out of the duct (11) is wrapped
with an insulating and sealing layer (5).
4. The heating unit of claim 3, characterized in that the insulating and sealing layer (5) comprises one of an epoxy filler, a rubber sheath,
or a rubber sealing plug.
1. Heizeinheit,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie umf asst:
einen Heizleiter (1), der innen mit mindestens einem Kanal (11) zur Aufnahme eines
PTC-Heizelements (2),
mindestens einem ersten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (12) und mindestens einem zweiten
Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (13) versehen ist;
eine erste Endabdeckung (3), die fest mit einem Ende des Heizleiters (1) gekoppelt
ist, wobei die erste Endabdeckung (3) innen mit einer ersten Unterteilung (33), einer
zweiten Unterteilung (34), einem Endabdeckungswassereinlass (31) und einem Endabdeckungswasserauslass
(32) versehen ist, wobei der Endabdeckungswassereinlass (31) in Fluidkommunikation
mit der ersten Unterteilung (33) und dem ersten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (12) steht
und wobei der Endabdeckungswasserauslass (32) in Fluidkomnunikation mit der zweiten
Unterteilung (34) und dem zweiten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (13) steht;
eine zweite Endabdeckung (4), die fest mit einem gegenüberliegenden Ende des Heizleiters
(1) gekoppelt ist, wobei der erste Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (12) und
der zweite Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanal (13) über einen Innenraum innerhalb der zweiten
Endabdeckung (4) in Fluidkommunikation miteinander stehen, um einen geschlossenen
Flüssigkeitsumlaufkanal zu bilden;
mindestens ein PTC-Heizelement (2), das innerhalb des Kanals (11) des Heizleiters
(1) positioniert ist, wobei das PTC-Heizelement (2) eine Länge aufweist, die länger
ist als die des Heizleiters (1), dadurch gekennzeichnet,
dass es ein Ende, das sich aus einem Ende des Kanals (11) heraus erstreckt, und einen
Abschnitt des anderen Endes aufweist, das sich aus dem anderen Ende des Kanals (11)
heraus erstreckt;
wobei die erste Endabdeckung (3) mindestens eine Nut (35) enthält, die in der Lage
ist, den Abschnitt des PTC-Heizelements (2), das sich aus dem Kanal (11) heraus erstreckt,
aufzunehmen, wobei sich die Nut (35) durch ein Inneres der ersten Endabdeckung (3)
erstreckt und
mit einem äußeren Raum in Kommunikation steht; und
die zweite Endabdeckung (4) auch mit mindestens einer Öffnung (41) versehen ist, die
in der Lage ist, das Ende des PTC-Heizelements (2), das sich aus dem Kanal (11) heraus
erstreckt, aufzunehmen.
2. Heizeinheit nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass:
eine erste Verschlussdichtung (36) zwischen einer Endfläche der ersten Endabdeckung
(3) und einer Endfläche des Heizleiters (1) vorgesehen ist, wobei die erste Verschlussdichtung
(36) einen Mund des ersten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanals (12) und des zweiten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanals
(13) umgibt; und/oder
eine zweite Verschlussdichtung (42) zwischen einer Endfläche der zweiten Endabdeckung
(4) und einer Endfläche des Heizleiters (1) angeordnet ist, wobei die zweite Verschlussdichtung
(42) einen an einem Ende des ersten Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanals (12) und des zweiten
Flüssigkeitsdurchlaufkanals (13) ausgebildeten Mund umgibt.
3. Heizeinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Isolier- und Dichtungsschicht (5) entweder einen Epoxidfüllstoff, eine Gummihülle
oder einen Gummidichtstopfen umfasst.
4. Heizeinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Ende des PTC-Heizelements (2), das sich aus dem Kanal (11) heraus erstreckt,
mit einer Isolier- und Dichtungsschicht (5) umhüllt ist.
1. Unité de chauffage,
caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend:
un conducteur de chaleur (1) pourvu en son sein d'au moins un conduit (11) pour loger
un élément chauffant PTC (2), au moins un premier canal de passage (12) de liquide,
et au moins un second canal de passage (13) de liquide;
un premier couvercle d' extrémité (3) couplé de manière fixe à une extrémité du conducteur
de chaleur (1), le premier couvercle d' extrémité (3) étant pourvu en son sein d'un
premier compartiment (33), d'un second compartiment (34), d'une entrée d'eau (31)
de couvercle d' extrémité et d'une sortie d'eau (32) de couvercle d' extrémité, l'entrée
d'eau (31) de couvercle d' extrémité étant en communication fluidique avec le premier
compartiment (33) et le premier canal de passage (12) de liquide, et la sortie d'eau
(32) de couvercle d' extrémité étant en communication fluidique avec le second compartiment
(34) et le second canal de passage (13) de liquide;
un second couvercle d' extrémité (4) couplé de manière fixe à une extrémité opposée
du conducteur de chaleur (1), le premier canal de passage (12) de liquide et le second
canal de passage (13) de liquide étant en communication fluidique l'un avec l' autre
via un espace interne à l'intérieur du second couvercle d' extrémité (4) de manière
à former un canal fermé de circulation de liquide;
au moins un élément chauffant PTC (2) positionné à l'intérieur du conduit (11) du
conducteur de chaleur (1), l'élément chauffant PTC (2) ayant une longueur supérieure
à celle dudit conducteur de chaleur (1), caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte une extrémité se prolongeant hors d'une extrémité du conduit (11) et
une partie de l'autre extrémité se prolongeant hors de l'autre extrémité du conduit
(11);
dans laquelle le premier couvercle d' extrémité (3) inclut au moins une rainure (35)
pouvant loger la partie de l'élément chauffant PTC (2) se prolongeant hors du conduit
(11), la rainure (35) se prolongeant à travers un intérieur du premier couvercle d'extrémité
(3) et
étant en communication avec un espace extérieur; et
le second couvercle d' extrémité (4) est aussi pourvu d'au moins une ouverture (41)
pouvant loger l'extrémité de l'élément chauffant PTC (2) se prolongeant hors du conduit
(11).
2. Unité de chauffage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que
un premier joint d' étanchéité (36) est prévu entre une face d' extrémité du premier
couvercle d' extrémité (3) et une face d' extrémité du conducteur de chaleur (1),
le premier joint d' étanchéité (36) entourant une embouchure du premier canal de passage
(12) de liquide et du second canal de passage (13) de liquide; et/ou
un second joint d' étanchéité (42) est disposé entre une face d' extrémité du second
couvercle d' extrémité (4) et une face d' extrémité du conducteur de chaleur (1),
le second joint d' étanchéité (42) entourant une embouchure formée à une extrémité
du premier canal de passage (12) de liquide et du second canal de passage (13) de
liquide.
3. Unité de chauffage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la couche d'isolation et d' étanchéité (5) comprend un élément parmi une charge d'époxy,
une gaine en caoutchouc ou un bouchon d' étanchéité en caoutchouc.
4. Unité de chauffage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite extrémité de l'élément chauffant PTC (2) se prolongeant hors du conduit (11)
est enveloppée d'une couche isolante et étanche (5)